I have been desperate to see a cinematic rendition ofMarvel’s Chameleon for decades, but his appearance inKraven the Hunterwas an unbelievable disappointment. As Spider-Man’s first supervillain, Chameleon’s unique combination of psychological manipulation and physical shapeshifting makes him an ideal adversary. For years, I have dreamed of seeing him translated to the big screen in a way that captures his complex and unsettling nature. WhenSony’s Spider-Man Universeannounced that Chameleon would finally appear inKraven the Hunter, I dared to hope. But now that I’ve seen the film, I’m not just disappointed - I’m devastated.
Sony’sKraven the Hunterpromised a gritty, character-driven exploration of Sergei Kravinoff’s descent into his infamous role as the world’s greatest hunter. Among the most exciting revelations was the inclusion of his brother, the Chameleon, played by Fred Hechinger. The movie tethered their narratives together in a way that initially seemed poised to add emotional depth to both characters. However, Chameleon was largely sidelined, with much of his impressive abilities transformed into a novelty.
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The version of Chameleon inKraven the Hunteris initially depicted as a master impersonator who can perfectly mimic anyone’s voice. Dmitri’s abilities seem almost supernatural in their precision, but the filmgrounds them in years of practice and innate skill. He is notably depicted imitating their father with surprising efficacy.
This foundation could have been a compelling way to introduce audiences to his cunning nature. Unfortunately,Kraven the Hunterbarely scratches the surface of Dmitri’s potential. It’s not until the final scenes inKraven the Hunterthat Chameleon undergoes an experimental procedure to achieve his comic-accurate shapeshifting abilities.
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This moment should have been a showstopper, a transformative event that reshapes the character and sets up a thrilling future. Instead, it’s rushed and shoehorned into the end of the narrative,leaving little time to explore the ramifications of Dmitri’s new powers. By the time the credits roll, Chameleon has only just begun to embody the character I had been so eager to see.
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One of the most baffling creative decisions inKraven the Hunteris Dmitri’s side gig as a nightclub performer. Dmitri is depicted performing in his and his father’s lounge bar,crooning to some contemporary and classic songs. He uses his mimicry skills to perform uncanny renditions of songs by artists like Harry Styles, Tony Bennett, and David Bowie. While this gimmick initially feels like a quirky character trait, it quickly devolves into a distraction.
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Rather than explore Chameleon’s capacity for deception and psychological warfare, the film reduces him to a cabaret act. This portrayal robs Chameleon of his menace and gravitas. The scenes of Dmitri singing, while technically impressive,feel out of place and undercut the tension of the story. It’s as if the filmmakers couldn’t decide whether to treat him as a legitimate threat or a comic relief character, and the result is a tonal mess.
For a villain with such rich potential, being reduced to a musical impersonator is a frustrating waste. Moreover, the fact that Hechinger is obviously lip-syncing to the original singers becomes increasingly difficult to ignore. While Hechinger himself achieved this admirably, it wasan underwhelming culmination of his abilities. It seemed likeKraven the Hunterwas setting him up to play a hefty role in the narrative, but, as has become a prevalent trope in the franchise, theSSU set up a more intriguing future narrativethan the one it was depicting.
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Theend ofKraven the Hunteroffers a tantalizing glimpse of what could have been. After undergoing his experimental transformation, Dmitrifully embraces his role as a villainous Chameleon. In a climactic moment, he assumes his comic-accurate form, complete with the iconic white mask-like visage.
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He also inherits his father’s criminal empire, setting the stage for a power struggle between him and Sergei. This setup hints at a future conflict where Chameleoncould leverage his newfound powers in more dynamic ways, pitting his psychological cunning against Kraven’s brute force. The tension between the brothers in the final moments is palpable.
It suggested that a deeply personal rivalry could have driven future installments. Sadly, withSony’s Spider-Man Universe’s ending, it’s unlikelywe’ll ever see this storyline come to fruition. As a fan, it’s heartbreaking to watch a character with so much potential reduced to a novelty act. Chameleon deserved better fromKrven the Hunter, and so did we.
Kraven the Hunter
Cast
Kraven the Hunter explores the origin story of Sergei Kravinoff, known as Kraven, as he navigates his tumultuous relationship with his father, Nikolai. This path of vengeance sets Kraven on a journey to become a formidable hunter with a reputation for fearsome brutality.
